Page 51 of Claimed Highland Brides

“Just wha’ I said, Donnchadh. You will gi’ him to me to do wi’ as I please.”

Donnchadh dropped his eyes, shaking his head in consternation. “The soldier has nothing to do wi’ this. I cannae⁠—”

“Oh, can ye no? Are ye sure?”

There was a tense silence as Donnchadh took in the implications of his words. He sighed, turning away, still shaking his head. “There isnae need for tha’.”

“Nevertheless, that is wha’ I want.” Padraig looked him in the eye so he could see just how serious he was.

“I cannae gi’ him to ye.” Padraig opened his mouth to make his threats but Donnchadh spoke over him. “Ye’re gang tae have tae take him.”

Padraig closed his mouth again, and smiled.

* * *

They came for him in the middle of the night. One minute he was asleep on the hard floor of the cell, the next three men in cloaks were hustling him out, pulling him along when he could not get to his feet fast enough for them. Instinctively, he struggled but he was shackled hand and foot. The men also slipped a mask over his head as they pulled him along. He shouted for them to let him go but they just ignored him. He tried shouting for help but either there was nobody nearby or they sanctioned this treatment of him. Daividh did not know which was worse.

Suddenly they lifted him up and threw him down. He braced himself for a hard fall but landed quite soon on a hard surface that promptly began to move. He could hear the clip-clop of horses’ hooves and the snuffle of their breath in the cold air. A wagon then.

Where are they taking me?

* * *

They rode all night without a break and arrived back at Dunavar Castle just as the dawn was breaking. Milking maids were already about and the grooms were awake so they could not sneak in unseen. Instead, Fiona walked nonchalantly into the stable and handed the horse over to the stable boy as if she had just come from a morning ride. She nodded pleasantly to him and then walked out of the stable, using the kitchen to enter the castle and taking the back stairs to her chambers. She was exhausted and all she wanted to do was rest. But first, she had to alert Jamesina that she was back.

She knocked softly on her sister’s door before opening the door and stepping in the room. Jamesina and Ùna were sleeping together on the vast four-poster bed. She crept closer and sat on the side, staring down at them, feeling an immense love for her sisters.

Reaching out a hand, she shook Jamesina awake. Her sister mumbled protests as she tried to get away from the shaking, her mouth pouting sulkily. Fiona giggled in amusement and Jamesina opened one eye to see who had done that.

“Och, it’s ye,” she said and promptly closed her eyes. Fiona waited. Jamesina’s eyes flew open as she jerked up on the bed, clutching at Fiona. “Oh God, ye’re back!” she whisper-shouted. “Thank heavens.”

Fiona laughed. “For a moment there I wasnae sure of my welcome.”

“Tsha! It’s been a long day. Yer betrothed was here, demanding tae see ye. I had tae gang tae Uncle Donnchadh to intervene.”

Fiona paled. “Are ye alrigh’?”

“I’m fine. But that man is no guid, Sister. He tried to enter yer chambers wi’out even knocking.”

Fiona shuddered. “Aye weel, it makes wha’ I mun’ do easier I suppose.”

Jamesina’s eyes narrowed. “She told ye wha’ tae do?”

Fiona shook her head. “She said it mun’ be my decision. I’ve been thinking as I rode and there is only one right thing tae do. The rest is simply cowardice.”

Jamesina squeezed her arm and smiled. “Ye always were the brave one.”

“Go on wi’ ye! I couldnae do anything wi’out ye.” She got to her feet. “But I mun’ rest for a few hours afore I confront the laird.”

“Aye, goodnight then.” Jamesina nodded before lying back down and closing her eyes. Fiona smiled at her sister before backing out of the room and closing the door. She felt curiously lighter than she had in a while. It was going to be difficult, what she had to do.

But worth it, she thought as she discarded her cloak and gown and lay down to sleep in her shift.

Definitely worth it.